I felt the car lurch as I hit a patch of black ice and heard a slow screech as I tried to break, but I was running out of time. I swerved at the last minute, catching the glint of yellow-green eyes as my headlights passed over the slick road. My last thoughts were that I wouldn't be able to save her, regretting our last encounter as darkness engulfed me.

Three Months Earlier

I felt a light breeze tickle my skin as I walked to my black mustang. My strides quickened as my anticipation increased at the prospect of seeing her radiant face light up when she sees me. As I neared my car, I slid across the hood to the driver side and jumped in. I flipped the sun visor open on the passenger side and checked out my appearance. My black hair was sticking up all over the place like I had just gotten out of bed, which I did, while my gray eyes were bright as my mind raced back to her contagious smile.

I started my car, backed up slowly, then sped off down the road to her two story Victorian style house. When I pulled up to her driveway, she was already sauntering down the steps, swishing her curvy hips back and forth, wearing a lot cut white and green button up shirt with a matching mini skirt. My heart was pounding like a bass drum as she walked toward me with her shoulder length brown hair lightly bouncing and her emerald green eyes piercing my heart. I tried to calm my raging heart but as soon as she smiled, it soared taking me with it. Her smile was like the sun, it's so beautiful yet her beauty blinds me.

"Hi," she said as she opened the car door and slid in, "so I hear that you are going on a date with Kali." I groaned to myself, of course she would bring that up especially since Kali is her best friend.

"Yeah," I sigh, my good mood evaporating as soon as Kali came up in the conversation. I mean sure Kali is pretty, hell she's hot, with her long golden blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. But for me, Rylee is the only girl who has actually captured my heart.

We drove in awkward silence the rest of the way to school. I glanced over at her and in an instant I was captivated by the different hues of green in her beautiful eyes. Rylee turned to look out the window, breaking my trance, giving me a few seconds to break before almost hitting the truck in front of me. I glanced over at Rylee to find her staring out the window still, unphased by our close call. I sighed now realizing that today was going to be a bad day for me.

As soon as we pulled up to my parking spot, Rylee jumped out and bolted to the school. I just sat there, dumbfounded as I turned off my car. Well that was weird, I thought as I got out and started toward O'Neil High School, home of the Asses, oops I meant Donkeys. I walked up the steps and saw an ass, literally. In front of the school entrance there was a crude drawing of an ass on the side of the building with a signature that read, "Signora He honk. I laughed and kept on walking, my spirit lifted for the moment until I ran into Kali.

"Hey, Kali," I mumbled as I kept on walking. She kept pace with me draping her arm across my shoulders.

"I so can't wait until our date tonight," she purred running her hand down my back then around to my chest. Hell. I gulped and tried to calm my thrashing heart as I walked to my locker.

"Um, I-I'll see you at lunch, okay," I said a little breathless as I turned away from her to open my locker. She pressed against my back, her chest rubbing against my back as her arms wrapped around my chest.

"Okay," she whispered against my ear, nibbling on my earlobe. I grabbed my books quickly and bolted to English. My heart was still racing as I walked into Mrs. Diggs's classroom. I walked to my desk in the back of the room next to Rylee, who seemed to be ignoring me.

Two can play that game. I angled my chair away from her, hoping she would notice and say something to me, she didn't even acknowledge the fact that I had even moved. I started tapping my pencil on the desk in frustration. I got shushed by a short pixie like girl with black hair, pulled up in a ponytail, and glasses. I tried to listen to Mrs. Diggs's lecture on Poetry, but my mind was racing trying to figure out what I had done wrong to get the silent treatment.

I gripped my pencil so hard in my agitation that it snapped in half, making the whole class stare at me, dumbfounded. It's not like they haven't heard it before, pencils break all the time. I scrambled for another pencil as a bright blush played across my cheeks showing my embarrassment and frustration at myself and Rylee. I grabbed a pen instead and started writing notes. The hair on the back of my neck tingled as I felt someone's stare.

I turned my head to find not a stare but a glare from Rylee. What, I mouthed. She just shook her head and started scribbling something down on a piece of paper. Rylee thrust it toward me with such force that I received a paper cut between my index and middle finger. I opened it up reading, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU'RE DATING KALI?

I flew out of my seat in astonishment causing my seat to fly backwards and hit the wall. Everyone turned and looked at me, making Mrs. Diggs stop her lecture.

"Um, I.., ugh, excuse me," I mumbled, walking out of the classroom. As soon as I was out of the room, I ran to the side doors, pushing them open and running outside. I closed my eyes, feeling a light breeze brush my cheeks. My frustration and embarrassment slowly dissipated, blowing away in the wind.

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves before I walked inside and back to class. When I walked back to class, I noticed that my seat had been taken. I walked over to my desk calmly and lightly tapped the guy on the shoulder to get his attention, which was focused on Rylee.

"Excuse me, but that's my seat that you're sitting in." He looked up at me, smiled, and went back to talking with Rylee. I clenched my fists but walked to the empty seat beside this guy trying to control my anger. I slid into the seat and tried to pay attention to Mrs. Diggs's Poetry lecture again yet my thoughts were too preoccupied by the new guy and Rylee. I decided to be the nice guy instead of the jealous, resentful one.

"Hi, I'm guessing you're new here, I'm Max." I held out my right hand to introduce myself. He turned, looked at me then my outstretched hand and smiled.

"I'm Calib, it's nice to meet you," he replied fitting his hand into mine, shaking it. I smiled back on the outside but on the inside my body was on fire, like his touch was burning me. I took my hand away quickly but tried to keep a smile plastered to my face.

"I see you've already met Rylee." I looked over at Rylee hoping to catch her eye but of course she was entranced by this guy, with his short coffee brown hair and hazel eyes, sometimes bordering on black.

I looked away closing my eyes not wanting to see how close Rylee and Calib were. I was glad when the bell finally rang for second period. Calculus went by quickly and the same with the rest of the day. Lunch was just as boring but I was glad Calib wasn't sitting with us. I finally had the chance to be the only guy talking and joking with Rylee. Of course it didn't last long once Kali opened her mouth and started asking me about our date tonight, which I had completely forgotten about.

"Where are you going to take me: movies, dinner, or bowling?" Kali asked leaning toward me. Her boobs were pressed against the table, almost popping out of her black zip-up dress.

"Um, it's a surprise," I said trying to look her in the face but my eyes kept on straying to her huge chest. She leaned even closer, stretching out her fingers to touch my hand, and purred, "I love surprises!"

I smiled weakly and looked over at Rylee to see her reaction but she wasn't sitting by me anymore, instead she was sitting by Calib at an empty table. I wasn't in a very good mood anyways but now I was completely depressed. I was just about to get up and leave when I felt hands brush against my clenched fists. I looked up into Kali's sparkling blue eyes as she looked me over, a small smile playing across her lush lips. I didn't think for a second about what I was about to do I just leapt at the chance to escape, grabbing the only option I saw at the time. If Rylee thought I was dating Kali then so be it I had officially made up my mind that I would play it off.

I grabbed Kali's hand and slowly led her away from the table and through the cafeteria doors; I played it off as best as I could trying to act cool when in fact I was terrified of what could happen when I exited these doors but I never looked back. As soon as we were through the doors, Kali pushed me up against the wall and smiled a grin so devious and scary it was like a predator that just caught its helpless prey. She was going in for the kill, the kiss of death, but I wasn't ready for it, not yet at least.

"Whoa, um, Kali, this is a little fast for me, we haven't even gotten the chance to go on our date yet, how about we save this for tonight." She giggled flipping her blonde hair back and nodded. She kissed me gently on the cheek and whispered in my ear, "I'm all yours tonight," and walked away. I gulped feeling the blood rush to my cheeks and other areas as I imagined what she would have in store for me tonight.

I lowered myself down on the floor completely amazed at the possibility of just maybe not being the geeky nerd I used to be and turning into one of the hunks or studs in school. Even though it's a dream of mine to be one of the popular guys, it probably would never happen I'll always be the geeky nerd that everyone used to make fun of. My acne was at least gone and I had finally gotten contacts so I wouldn't have to wear my geeky taped up glasses anymore. I thought maybe if I looked better that Rylee just might start to like me but of course she doesn't even notice me.

The only real thing I have going for me is the fact that I might actually get a girlfriend, maybe not the one I want but a girlfriend none the less. She may not be the girl I love but lust can do a hell of a job for me. Love isn't everything right? She is my only option; I'm sick and tired of this lonely feeling that kept on creeping up on me unprovoked just because I can't get the girl I want. I pushed hair out of my face and shoved myself off the wall walking with a purpose to my locker getting ready for the last class of the day, History. I pushed all thoughts from my mind as I concentrated on walking to History and not on the fact that I would probably never date the girl of my dreams.

As soon as I walked into History, I was glad that Rylee and I didn't have the same class because I don't think I could handle it. History was never my favorite subject but now I was kind of glad for the distraction of listening to Mr. Noel drone on about Alexander the Great and his many conquests across Europe and the Middle East. As I stared off into space, I faintly heard a bell go off yet I was too far gone in my mind to even acknowledge it. It wasn't until someone tapped me on my shoulder that I came out of my zone coma. I looked around the room to find that everyone had left except Mr. Noel who was glowering at me from across his desk and a student scurrying out the room.

I bolted from the room, so I wouldn't have to endure anymore of Mr. Noel's glowering glares, to my car. As I was about to drive away, I remembered that I had taken Rylee to school, crap. I looked around the parking lot trying to find her white and green mini skirt in a crowd of denim skirts and jeans. I figured she had gotten a ride home but I wasn't willing to feel her wrath if I was wrong so I did the only thing I could think of, I called her cell phone. When she didn't pick up, for a second I grew anxious thinking the worse but that soon passed. I figured she was with one of her friends and didn't hear her phone go off so I texted her instead.

I sighed knowing I couldn't stall any longer so I backed up slowly and almost ran over Rylee but she wasn't alone. I bristled when I saw him already knowing where they were going though I couldn't truly believe it. Calib was taking her home and she didn't even tell me. It was like he knew I was staring so he put his arm around her waist. My anger reached its boiling point; I couldn't watch this any longer so I floored it as soon as they were out of the way. I booked it to my house not caring that I was going over the speed limit; all I cared about was taking out my anger on something. I peeled into my driveway slamming on the brakes. I got out of my car slamming the door behind me as I walked up my driveway.

My family really isn't that rich compared to all of the other old families around the town; my family has lived on this land for thousands of years making the money they could. It wasn't until my Mom met my Dad that our family's wealth blossomed into what it is today yet it doesn't beat the Ashworth's fortune, Rylee's inheritance. The Ashworth and Preston families were the richest families in the small town of Hickory Falls. My family could never compete with them, who would, yet money was never really a big thing to my grandmother who lived on the land like her people used to. The Woodland Indians thrived on the land, understanding nature like no one else could. I walked into my moderate sized home with its bleach white walls and pale green shutters.

"Mom, I'm home!" I called out as I removed my black sneakers. Mrs. Blake sauntered into the room her long raven black hair swaying against her back as she rushed over to me. She bent down and kissed me on my cheek.

"How was your day, sweetie?" she asked mushing up my hair like she used to when I was younger. I shook my hair out of my face. "It was fine kind of boring, but I'm kind of beat so I'm going to just go lay down okay," I said hugging her and scampering up the stairs to my room. I pushed open the door to my bedroom barely getting it open all of the way with all of my clothes scattered across the room in different piles.

"Ugh, I guess that means I should probably clean it," I muttered to myself kicking over the pile of clothes beside my door. The room looked like a tornado blew through it; clothes scattered all over the floor and bed, papers thrown across the room missing the trashcan by my desk by a mile, video games strewn across the floor as piles toppled over from being stacked too high. It was a sight to behold and not the good kind. I brushed it off telling myself I would clean it later knowing full well that I probably wouldn't get to it. I could barely see the red carpet underneath the different assortment of items dispersed around the room. The walls weren't any better; the once ivory walls were covered in posters from Iron Maiden and Metallica to Einstein sticking out his tongue. There was even a periodic table of elements right above the headboard.

I flopped onto my bed resting my head on my hands as I stared up at the ceiling thinking about all that had happened today. Ugh I can't believe she let him take her home. It was all I could think about; my mind was plagued by thoughts of what could be happening. While my thoughts were being dogged my phone went off with a little beep letting me know that I had a text message. I was afraid to look at it; I didn't really feel up to talking to Rylee just yet. Stop being a coward, be a man you can do it, it's just a text message. I took a deep breath and flipped open my phone to find a text message like I thought but not from the person I thought it would be. The text was from Kali.

Hey, pick me up at 8 ok can't wait to c u!

It was the last thing I needed to be reminded of, my date with Kali. I still didn't know where the heck I was going to take her. I looked at the clock on my phone trying to figure out how much time I had left to spare. It seems I was staring at the ceiling for a while because it was almost six o'clock and I had gotten home at four, a two hour lapse of time. I had two hours to figure out where the hell I was taking Kali. Places ran through my mind as I tried to figure out which place she would like to go and how much money it would cost me. Movie theatre, bowling, dinner, all of these possibilities entered my thoughts but I figured the movies would be the safest bet now I just had to figure out what was playing tonight. I rolled off my bed my navy blue comforter falling with me wrapping around my body.

I untangled myself from my comforter and went to my piece of crap computer, which I rarely ever use since my internet connection was dial up making everything drag and slow. It took me half an hour to connect to the internet then almost fifteen minutes to bring up the Theatre's website. I looked through the list of movies trying to figure out which one Kali would like more. I figured a comedy would be the safest thing to go see so that I didn't give the wrong impression, oh god I really didn't want to give the wrong impression. The only comedy playing was, "50/50", so I reckon that was going to be the movie we are going to see I hope it's a good choice.

I shut down my computer pushing away from my desk and walked to the adjoined bathroom across the room. I checked the time on my phone to find that I only had an hour left to get ready and find Kali's home. I checked myself out in the mirror looking from my misty gray eyes to my black hair and bronze skin. I ran my fingers through my hair brushing it out of my face while contemplating if I should really be going on this date it wasn't even my idea, damn you Kali. It was she who forced me into the date.

She had made me so flustered when she showed up at my house in a tight light blue low cut shirt with straps tied around the neck and a tight black mini skirt. Her hair was curled framing her face giving her a kind of halo with her white blonde hair. It didn't help that her shirt was cut so low that I could see the curves of her boobs. What guy would say no to a busty girl? I had looked down then already knowing what I would find and I could tell she knew it too by the devilish grin spreading across her red lips. I knew before she even asked that I would inevitably say yes because I could never say no even if I wanted to, sometimes I hate being a nice guy.

"Um, Max, I'm sorry to intrude on your home but I was wondering if you would go out with me," she asked her big blue eyes staring up at me with a small pout to her lips.

"I, ugh, um, sure I guess," I replied shifting uneasily from foot to foot.

"Really, you mean it? Yay, I can't believe you said yes," she said excitedly jumping up and down, and all I could see were her boobs bouncing up and down. Oh god I need to stop this train of thought.

"Oh I can't wait for our first date!" she gushed. I should have known then that I had fallen into a trap, but I was just too captivated by their bounce that I didn't even pay attention to her wording, which I should have if I truly didn't want to go on a date with her much less actually date her. Damn her bouncing boobs. If only I hadn't been distracted maybe I could have gotten out of the mess that I was in now. Thinking back on it I now knew why Rylee had been so upset; Kali must have told her that we were dating, and she was upset that I hadn't told her. My thoughts cost me fifteen minutes meaning I have about forty-five minutes left to get ready and find Kali's house.

I took care of all of my personal hygiene; I brushed my teeth, put on Axe deodorant, washed out my mouth with mouth wash, and sprayed an extra dose of Axe spray in an X. Once all of that was taken care of I walked down the stairs not even thinking about what I was wearing until I mentioned my date to my mother.

"Is that what you are going to wear? Honey, really now, you need to at least look presentable." I looked down at what I was wearing, fitted dark jeans and a simple black shirt.

"What's wrong with what I have on?" I asked her still looking myself over.

"It's just this Kali girl seems kind of sophisticated what with her family having stacks of money; I just think you should look classier."

"Mom, weren't you the one who said looks shouldn't matter?" I asked scrutinizing her.

She brushed it off swatting her hand in the air. "This is a completely different matter, now go back upstairs and change." I gawked at her; I couldn't believe she was making me change my clothes. I sighed and shuffled back upstairs to my room. I gave the room a once over then looked at the many different piles of clothes and went diving. I searched through every pile until I found what I was looking for, a dark blue polo. I picked it up and gave it a once over making sure there were no stains on it then I put it against my nose taking in a good whiff. Once I was satisfied that it was clean, I took off my shirt revealing my somewhat muscular chest and put on the shirt that I found. As I left my room and went down the stairs, I considered not showing up at her house but that would make a jerk. I knew by then that there was no way out that I would just have to deal with the consequences of my actions.

When I reached the last step, I stopped and called out to my mom, "Mom, I'm leaving!"

"Have fun, Honey, don't be out too late you still have a curfew," she said as she bustled around the kitchen probably making herself dinner. I took my navy blue jacket off the coat hanger and left. I got into my mustang and was about to start the engine when I checked my wallet just to make sure I had enough money. I opened it up and found two twenties. Whew, thank god hopefully it doesn't cost more than forty bucks. I turned the car on and sped off hoping I remembered where she lived. I drove around the block passing Rylee's house into a blocked off area with a big black fence with a grand A on it. I presumed this was the Ashworth house, more like a mansion.

My jaw dropped; I knew that Kali was rich but so is Rylee the only difference is that Rylee's family doesn't flaunt it. The house was enormous; it was two stories high, with as many windows as there were rooms, and it even had a roundabout driveway with an angel fountain in the middle. I saw all of this from between the bars I had no clue what it would actually look like on the inside. I looked around me and found a small black intercom button. I pressed it lightly not really knowing what to do. A little beep went off and I heard someone say, "Ashworth residence how many I help you?"

"Um, I'm here to pick up Kali for our date tonight," I replied nervously.

"One moment please," he said as the gate creaked open allowing me to enter. I drove in cautiously pulling up beside the mansion and just waited not knowing if I should knock or just wait. I didn't have to wait long for my answer. Kali came sauntering out in a tight white sleeveless shirt that barely covered her chest much less her flat stomach. The skirt was even worse; it was pure white, barely reached mid-thigh, and I guessed it probably barely covered her bottom. My pulse sped up a bit as I gawked at her; she was basically wearing nothing. Oh God, please don't let it rain tonight I don't think I could control myself if it did. This wasn't going to end well I kept on thinking as she got closer and closer until she was at the passenger's side door.

I gulped while reaching across the passenger's seat to open up the door for her. As she got into the car, her skirt slipped up further revealing more thigh than I really wanted to see. Keep your cool, Max, you can do this without doing something you will regret. I tried to tell myself that I was in control but I was sorely mistaken as my eyes kept on drifting to her thighs. Keep your cool, Max, you can do this without doing something you will regret. I tried to tell myself that I was in control, but I was sorely mistaken as my eyes kept on drifting to her barely covered thighs.

"Um, Max, hello?" My head snapped up at the mention of my name. I looked up into crystal blue eyes looking at me innocently.

I gulped. "Hmm?"

"I asked where we are going," she said studying me with a tilt of her head causing her blonde hair to shift so that it looked like a waterfall of light.

"Oh, um, it's a surprise," I replied looking away so that I could start the car. I turned the key starting the car then we were off. An awkward silence seemed to hang over us just like this morning with Rylee. I didn't want to have to go through that again so I just picked something off of the top of my head and went for it.

"So, um, what kind of music do you like?" I asked as I flipped through the stations.

"Oh, um, all kinds really but mostly hip hop, it gives me something to dance to," Kali answered as she flipped her hair to one side showing off her bare shoulder.

I kept my eyes on the road as I flipped the dial to a popular hip hop station. Kali hummed along to the song twirling a strand of her hair around her index finger. I focused all of my attention on the yellow and white lines on the road until we had finally reached the only movie theater in town. I parked a few blocks away since the sides of the road beside and in front of the theater were already taken. The theater was a historical place in the town like most things around here. The building was made of brick; I was surprised it had lasted this long most of the old historical buildings were falling apart or collapsing.

I looked across the street making sure there was no oncoming traffic before I got out of my car. I straightened my shirt and grabbed my jacket before I went around to the passenger's side to open the door for Kali.

"Thank you," she said as she got out of the car with some help from me since her shoes really weren't meant for stepping up on a curb. Her skin was like ice as I helped her up on the curb.

"Um, are you cold? If you want you can wear my jacket," I said shifting my jacket to my right so I could hand it to her.

"Oh, there is no need for..," I stopped her mid-sentence as I helped her into my jacket.

"There, isn't that better?" I asked. She nodded vigorously and beamed at me, her smile lighting up her face like I had just given her a diamond or something. She pulled my jacket closer to her covering herself up. I held out an arm to her like I've seen in movies waiting for her to take it. When she did, sudden chills went through my body like I had just gotten doused in ice, cold, water. When I looked over at her, her whole body seemed to be giving off a faint light then in an instant it was gone. Kali tilted her studying me as I stared at her dumbfounded.

"Is something wrong?" she asked looking me over to make sure I was okay.

"Oh, yeah, it's nothing I just thought I saw something. I was probably just imagining it," I replied leading her to the ticket booth.

"Um, two for 50/50, please," I said to the guy at the ticket booth. He seemed familiar somehow, but I knew that I had never seen the guy before with his red hair cut in a buzz and deep, intense, green eyes. I brushed off the feeling thinking I was just imagining things again and reached for our tickets. My hand brushed his fingertips as he gave me our tickets and I got that feeling again like ice, cold, water was being dumped on me. I snatched my hand away quickly while saying thank you to the guy and shuffled into the crowded movie theater.